LAS VEGAS (AP) — Victor Wembanyama’s Summer League stint has come to an end, leaving a lasting impression.
The San Antonio Spurs announced on Monday that they have thoroughly evaluated their top pick from this year’s draft and have decided not to field him for the remainder of their Las Vegas games.
Wembanyama’s statistics from his two appearances were remarkable: 36 points, 20 rebounds, eight blocks, and three assists, all while shooting 41% from the field. His playing time amounted to approximately 54 minutes.
The decision to sideline Wembanyama did not come as a surprise, as the Spurs had never intended for him to participate in the entirety of the Summer League. With his absence, the team can now allocate those minutes to evaluate other players.
After what turned out to be his final game of the summer, Wembanyama expressed his plans for the upcoming months. He mentioned sitting down with the Spurs to discuss his vacation, workout schedule, and practice location—whether it would be in San Antonio or elsewhere. He acknowledged that these next two to three months would be pivotal and transformative for his life.
The Spurs’ decision to shut him down from games, despite having a few more games left in Las Vegas, is a necessary step to grant the 19-year-old French player a much-needed break. Wembanyama’s previous professional season in his home country ended nearly a year ago, and his schedule has been hectic ever since, including participation in the French playoffs leading up to the draft in June.
In essence, the Spurs believe that Wembanyama requires time to rest and rejuvenate before gearing up for training camp, which commences in early October, followed by an arduous 82-game regular season.
Wembanyama reflected on the past month, expressing that basketball has accounted for less than half of his schedule. While he acknowledged the significance of this moment in his life, he expressed relief that it is finally over. He yearns to return to playing basketball and engaging in workouts, as that is his true passion. He recognizes that going through this experience is a common occurrence for every top draft pick and believes it will only make him better in the future.
The past few days in Las Vegas have been a whirlwind for the Spurs. Wembanyama’s debut game on Friday attracted a circus-like atmosphere, with a packed arena and immense attention. Sunday’s game had a slightly different atmosphere but still drew a large crowd. Additionally, significant news broke between these games on Saturday when Gregg Popovich’s new five-year contract as coach and team president was announced.
Wembanyama expressed his delight at the Popovich signing, as expected.
“We knew it was going to happen, and now it’s time to get things rolling,” Wembanyama said. “We can start now.”
On Monday, Wembanyama participated in the NBA’s mandatory rookie transition program, where he had a conversation with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Silver has consistently praised the 7-foot-3 star since their initial meeting in Paris in January.
“I don’t think anything else I say could add more pressure on him because there’s already immense pressure and attention,” Silver stated during a speech at the Associated Press Sports Editors convention in Las Vegas. “But it seems like he’s well prepared to handle it, at least initially.”
Teammates, opponents, and NBA legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jerry West have all expressed their admiration for Wembanyama based on his recent performances.
“The challenge lies in figuring out how you can contribute most effectively to a winning effort,” Abdul-Jabbar advised him. “That’s what you need to discover with your skill set. Preseason will provide a lot of insights in that regard.”
Known for its vibrant entertainment scene, Las Vegas proved to be the perfect stage for Wembanyama to showcase his skills, captivating the Spurs organization. With his impressive performance, the team concluded that he had demonstrated enough to earn their confidence. Now, Wembanyama’s attention turns towards his eagerly awaited first official season.
“He’s truly remarkable,” praised Blake Wesley, a guard for the San Antonio Spurs. “Not only is he an incredible player, but he’s also an exceptional individual both on and off the court.”